Knyfe-Wrench t1_ixq3uyt wrote on November 25, 2022 at 12:38 PM

Reply to comment by BadAtNameIdeas in TIL the 2026 World Cup will be the first Cup to host 48 teams instead of the usual 32. by hcbaron

48 is less than a quarter of the national teams in the world. That's more exclusive than any major US sport's playoffs. But sure, it's a "participation trophy."

BadAtNameIdeas t1_ixq4w6t wrote on November 25, 2022 at 12:50 PM

In response to the person that I commented to, a participation trophy is exactly what it would feel like -“it would bring so much joy to these people, even if they lose every match”. Also, the qualifying for the World Cup is a years long process, wherein every country that’s eligible can compete to qualify. It’s not exclusive, it’s earned to be there.